This (Wednesday) morning, eight Army National Guard crew members, including four pilots and four crew chiefs, and four Air National Guard rescue personnel are departing the Joint Base and arrive in Dallas come Friday, accompanied by equipment that will include two UH-60 Blackhawks, one outfitted with rescue hoist and equipment.

The National Guard Bureau has also asked New Jersey leaders to begin contingency planning for a Brigade Combat Team to potentially be deployed as part of a multi-state guard contingency task force, if required and requested by Texas. That deployment and the number of personnel involved would be determined only after a request from Texas.

“With real-life experience and top-notch training, the emergency response members from our Joint Base and our State Police are invaluable resources that will help lift Texas out of the devastation and despair caused by Hurricane Harvey,” Governor Christie said. “I will continue to make good on my promise to authorize and deploy every available resource possible for the tens of thousands of disaster victims who need rescuing, and who will need our recovery assistance in the days and weeks ahead.”